HD Radio is it worth it??
- Thread starter raaizin
- Start date
- Status
Well, i have HD home radio and it is a mixed bag. The clarity is no different IMHO for FM (cheepie consumer Sony bedside model) and often there is an annoying audible ghosting when the radio switches between analog and HD, since most stations broadcast the same stream on the analog channel.
Frankly I would rather just get analog if the HD signal is not strong enough to maintain.
The other one or two HD channels that are not available on analog are usually FM versions of the AM affiliate since I don't believe the HD crowd is large enough to warrant unique programming.
AM HD seems much better than AM analog, which obviously a huge room for improvement.
All in all i would rather have an excellent analog receiver than a mediocre HD set. Currently I'm happy with my analog/HD set since it the analog portion was a HUGE improvement over the POJ set I had been using previously. I can receive an Albany NY station (90.3) in stereo FM over 160 miles away.
Perhaps satellite would be a better option.
Frankly I would rather just get analog if the HD signal is not strong enough to maintain.
The other one or two HD channels that are not available on analog are usually FM versions of the AM affiliate since I don't believe the HD crowd is large enough to warrant unique programming.
AM HD seems much better than AM analog, which obviously a huge room for improvement.
All in all i would rather have an excellent analog receiver than a mediocre HD set. Currently I'm happy with my analog/HD set since it the analog portion was a HUGE improvement over the POJ set I had been using previously. I can receive an Albany NY station (90.3) in stereo FM over 160 miles away.
Perhaps satellite would be a better option.
Last edited:
JHZR2
Staff member
Why MUST you replace your stereo?
I live outside of Philadelphia, and havent done much testing of HD down the shore...
But HD is available on most stations, and depending upon the content provided, can be pretty good.
For example, our oldies station has two HD stations, one is always 70s music, the other is sports, local programming, etc. At Christmas, the HD2 station plays Christmas music all the time.
Other stations like our classic rock station just play alternate classic rock music, sometimes they claim it is "deep tracks".
For now there are no commercials on any station but the HD1, which is the same as commercial analog FM.
I only have HD in my new BMW, which has exceptional sound and the hi-fi system. I can't say if it is CD quality, like I believe is claimed... HD does NOT stand for high definition or anything like that. It is marketing misrepresentation, as they used HD which has a standard set of definitions in A/V, instead as "hybrid digital" audio. What I will say is that it DOES sound better than FM audio, there is a discernible difference in detail level that can be heard if your sound system is up to the task.
It seems to me that depending upon the station, it can take longer or shorter to latch onto the HD signal, even if you are nearby. I dont know the actual range of HD, but monmouth county has a pretty open and straight path over water from NYC, so Id think the signal should travel...
Since I live and drive mostly within 20 miles of the Philadelphia towers, HD is a no brainer. Id say that based upon what Ive read about it, you should look for a HU that has the option to turn off HD acquisition so it doesnt switch in and out all the time, if your signals are more on the fringe. Id guess that all HD analog FM tuners are more or less as good as any others in standard consumer equipment...
I live outside of Philadelphia, and havent done much testing of HD down the shore...
But HD is available on most stations, and depending upon the content provided, can be pretty good.
For example, our oldies station has two HD stations, one is always 70s music, the other is sports, local programming, etc. At Christmas, the HD2 station plays Christmas music all the time.
Other stations like our classic rock station just play alternate classic rock music, sometimes they claim it is "deep tracks".
For now there are no commercials on any station but the HD1, which is the same as commercial analog FM.
I only have HD in my new BMW, which has exceptional sound and the hi-fi system. I can't say if it is CD quality, like I believe is claimed... HD does NOT stand for high definition or anything like that. It is marketing misrepresentation, as they used HD which has a standard set of definitions in A/V, instead as "hybrid digital" audio. What I will say is that it DOES sound better than FM audio, there is a discernible difference in detail level that can be heard if your sound system is up to the task.
It seems to me that depending upon the station, it can take longer or shorter to latch onto the HD signal, even if you are nearby. I dont know the actual range of HD, but monmouth county has a pretty open and straight path over water from NYC, so Id think the signal should travel...
Since I live and drive mostly within 20 miles of the Philadelphia towers, HD is a no brainer. Id say that based upon what Ive read about it, you should look for a HU that has the option to turn off HD acquisition so it doesnt switch in and out all the time, if your signals are more on the fringe. Id guess that all HD analog FM tuners are more or less as good as any others in standard consumer equipment...
JHZR2
Staff member
Ive never gotten that in my auto application.
Quote:
Ive never gotten that in my auto application.
Good chance you are close enough to philly.
I don't live within 20 miles of any HD station and I'm low in the CT river valley.
The mentioned ghost effect makes me move my rabbit ears to eliminate the HD signal.
Ive never gotten that in my auto application.
Good chance you are close enough to philly.
I don't live within 20 miles of any HD station and I'm low in the CT river valley.
The mentioned ghost effect makes me move my rabbit ears to eliminate the HD signal.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: raaizin
JHZR2 said:
I don't have a HD unit in my car...yet.
However I have cobbled a car adapter unit into my home stereo.
(via the RCA jacks).
I find that the fidelity can be quite good and will vary by source material and bitrate. (IMHO almost CD quality on FM HD)
More sub channels equals less bitrate and quality per service.
Previously I knew that the digital side of the broadcast was allocated only 1 percent of the main FM's power.
So a 50 Kw FM only gets 500 watts for the digital broadcast.
I know that the broadcasters were seeking a power increase for digital.
It's amazing that digital covers as much range as it does given the low power.
I get good reception from FM HD stations 80 or more miles away with a home brew attic antenna.
I haven't had as much success with AM HD.
As for the echo when switching modes: if the broadcaster has the analog and digital signals timed and leveled properly the echo effect will be only barely perceptible if at all.
The echo is not a "design feature".
My opinion:
HD radio has great potential.
The broadcasters need more power allocated by the FCC.
Obviously HD has to make money to survive, commercials will come to the sub-channels.
Broadcasters need a wider variety of appropriate content.
Since it is free radio it represents value.
Rickey.
However I have cobbled a car adapter unit into my home stereo.
(via the RCA jacks).
I find that the fidelity can be quite good and will vary by source material and bitrate. (IMHO almost CD quality on FM HD)
More sub channels equals less bitrate and quality per service.
Previously I knew that the digital side of the broadcast was allocated only 1 percent of the main FM's power.
So a 50 Kw FM only gets 500 watts for the digital broadcast.
I know that the broadcasters were seeking a power increase for digital.
It's amazing that digital covers as much range as it does given the low power.
I get good reception from FM HD stations 80 or more miles away with a home brew attic antenna.
I haven't had as much success with AM HD.
As for the echo when switching modes: if the broadcaster has the analog and digital signals timed and leveled properly the echo effect will be only barely perceptible if at all.
The echo is not a "design feature".
My opinion:
HD radio has great potential.
The broadcasters need more power allocated by the FCC.
Obviously HD has to make money to survive, commercials will come to the sub-channels.
Broadcasters need a wider variety of appropriate content.
Since it is free radio it represents value.
Rickey.
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
We have HD radio on two of the cars and the most noticeable feature is the availability of the radio station data like the station name, track name and such.
That is important so you know what not what to buy.
We have HD radio on two of the cars and the most noticeable feature is the availability of the radio station data like the station name, track name and such.
That is important so you know what not what to buy.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
We have HD radio on two of the cars and the most noticeable feature is the availability of the radio station data like the station name, track name and such.
That is important so you know what not what to buy.
It helps sometimes - I don't think it's an earth shattering information but it can be ignored if not needed. I just don't know if it's worth the nominal premium over the old school radios. Probably it is worth it in this day and age of everything digital.
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
We have HD radio on two of the cars and the most noticeable feature is the availability of the radio station data like the station name, track name and such.
That is important so you know what not what to buy.
It helps sometimes - I don't think it's an earth shattering information but it can be ignored if not needed. I just don't know if it's worth the nominal premium over the old school radios. Probably it is worth it in this day and age of everything digital.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
In my area HD is hit and miss. When it works, there is a very noticeable difference. But as one poster said, the power out put from stations needs to be boosted quite a bit. One small hill that doesn't affect analogue signals often knock out HD. Since my unit 'blends' with analogue when this happens, its tolerable, but can get annoying.
Originally Posted By: raaizin
I must replace stereo in my car and was considering going with a radio which also incorporated HD radio. I live in Monmouth county NJ if that matters. There are a few stations near me. Most are in NYC about 40 miles away.
Yes! JVC has some good models with HD radio built in, try it, you'll never go back!
I must replace stereo in my car and was considering going with a radio which also incorporated HD radio. I live in Monmouth county NJ if that matters. There are a few stations near me. Most are in NYC about 40 miles away.
Yes! JVC has some good models with HD radio built in, try it, you'll never go back!
If you have a cell phone that can stream music and you get 3G in most places you drive, just stream the music from it to any aftermarket head unit with an AUX jack.
Get the HD, fun to have.
Get the HD, fun to have.
Not the same thing, but I recently rented a car with XM satalite radio and it was the best thing ever.
Originally Posted By: Malo83
SIRIUS/XM is all we listen to,got it in my new 08 Malibu LTZ and then had it installed in my wifes 00 Blazer, only local FM I listen to is on my stereo in the garage when i'm working outside
+1...I have a older Delphi SkyFi XM tuner that I can move between the Tribute, home stereo cradle and boombox, plus my 2011 Mustang has Sirius, and w/Sync, I can load thousands of songs on a Ipod and plug in to the stereo.
It's not about the technology, but the content that's broadcast. For a music-lover XM/Sirius is great and well worth the few bucks a month. Regular FM programming, since the conglomeration of all the more unique local stations by Clear Channel etc. over the past decade, is garbage.
SIRIUS/XM is all we listen to,got it in my new 08 Malibu LTZ and then had it installed in my wifes 00 Blazer, only local FM I listen to is on my stereo in the garage when i'm working outside
+1...I have a older Delphi SkyFi XM tuner that I can move between the Tribute, home stereo cradle and boombox, plus my 2011 Mustang has Sirius, and w/Sync, I can load thousands of songs on a Ipod and plug in to the stereo.
It's not about the technology, but the content that's broadcast. For a music-lover XM/Sirius is great and well worth the few bucks a month. Regular FM programming, since the conglomeration of all the more unique local stations by Clear Channel etc. over the past decade, is garbage.
I paid about $50 for an add-on Vistion HD tuner. So far there's been nothing on HD radio that makes me want to go through the effort of installing it..
- Status
Similar threads
